Great • Southern • Hockey

NSH trades Jones to CBJ for Johansen

Center Ryan Johansen’s fate in Columbus has been in the hot seat for quite some time now and, between Nashville, Vancouver, and Minnesota, he was packing bags at some point. Well, it would be Nashville’s GM, David Poile, who would present the best offer, essentially giving CBJ what they lack for what the Predators lack. Nashville is known for its defense; Columbus… eh, not so much. Nashville, on the other hand, has lacked some serious offense this season and who better to acquire than 23-year-old 2010 NHL Draft first rounder and center, Ryan Johansen?

Nashville has been salivating for a top center for a while now and, though he has struggled a bit in Columbus as of late, perhaps a little new scenery will be the antidote to his rut. Same can be said for Seth Jones, Nashville’s first round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, who hasn’t quite found his nitch as of yet, but is still projected to be a top defenseman. Being quite young, both Jones and Johansen still have the potential for great things – as long as they are placed in the right environments.

We certainly wish Seth Jones the best in his future endeavors and there is no doubt he will do well wherever he goes. As for Ryan Johansen, we welcome you to Nashville! We look forward to seeing what he can do to help the Predators achieve some sort of offensive presence.

Johansen, 23 (7/31/92), played in all 82 of Columbus’ games in 2013-14 and 2014-15, first setting a career high in goals (33), then posting personal bests in assists (45) and points (71) while appearing in the 2015 All-Star Game. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound native of Vancouver has 26 points (6g-20a) in 38 games this season. For his career, Johansen has 193 points (79g-114a) in 309 games and a 51.8 percent success rate in the face-off circle, including a 52 percent success rate this season, putting him in the Top 10 among those taking at least 400 draws.

The fourth overall selection in the 2010 Entry Draft, Johansen also has six points (2g-4a) in six career Stanley Cup Playoff games – all in 2014 with the Blue Jackets. He earned a silver medal and a spot on the tournament all-star team at the 2011 World Junior Championship after posting nine points (3g-6a) in seven games, and was a 2011 WHL First Team All-Star after recording 92 points (40g-52a) in 63 regular-season WHL games, and a league-best 28 points (13g-15a) in 21 postseason contests in his second and final campaign with the Portland Winterhawks.

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